Just RICs To Start

As I said, the initial offerings will be the Audeo Infinio R, the Audeo Sphere Infinio, and the CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signal). We will have to wait a little longer for the rechargeable custom hearing aids, the CIC and the Titanium. Both the CIC and the Titanium will be powered by size 10 batteries; everything else will be rechargeable.

The Advantages of Rechargeable

The use of the rechargeable cell brings real advantages though, and not necessarily just the fact you don’t need to worry about batteries. Phonak say that the rechargeable cells will give a full sixteen hours of use, so you will get a full day out of them. The rechargeable cell also enables motion sensors, which allow both tap control and movement-steered focus for the aids. Let me explain, Tap control is a feature they introduced a while ago, it will allow a user to simply tap the hearing aids to take an action, such as answering a call, or pausing and restarting streaming audio.

While for some, that may not be of real interest, the movement-steered focus should be. This feature kicks in automatically, so it needs no user interaction. Basically, it helps the aids to identify that the user is moving. That allows the aids to make a better decision about where the focus should be if you are in a noisy environment. It goes back to the standard protocol to help people hear better in noise, normally hearing aids will focus to the front, because generally, you are looking at what you want to hear.

However, if you are walking through a park or a noisy shopping centre, generally, the person you want to converse with is to the side. The motion sensors notify the management system of the aids you are in motion, so your listening intent may be different. It generally means a better experience for the user. Motion sensors will only work with rechargeable cells because the voltage needed for them to function is different.

Two Chipsets, Great Sound

As I said in the last article, the Infinio range comes with two new chipsets, the ERA and DEEPSONIC. Alongside those chipsets, they have also introduced a new fitting strategy and a hearing aid management system. The new fitting strategy is called APD 3.0, and Phonak says it is designed to give better sound quality from the first moment of the fitting. They say they have introduced new technology that is typically used in headphones and speakers to deliver the most natural and pleasing sound experience.

The management system is called AutoSense OS 6.0. Phonak say that along with their SmartSpeech technology, improves speech understanding by 16% and reduces listening effort by 45%. AutoSense is constantly monitoring your sound environment and deciding what changes to make and when, to improve your listening ability. It is the core of what the hearing aid does from moment to moment.

Enhanced connectivity

As with the previous Phonak offerings, Infinio features almost universal connectivity and compatibility with Bluetooth devices. They say it is faster and easier to connect with smartphones. The ERA chip was designed to be ultra-responsive, meaning people can shift between streaming and acoustic input without missing conversations.

More Power, Stable Connection

It also provides 6 times the transmission power, which means double the distance for transmitting audio from a smartphone to the aids compared to two other competitors. Ultimately, a stronger transmission signal should mean more stable connectivity and consistent audio quality. Unfortunately, the initial Infinio RICs aren't equipped with a telecoil, however, they are Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) Audio enabled and Auracast-ready.

New Chargers

There are Charger Case Go chargers for the Audeo Sphere Infinio and the Audeo Infinio R. The Charger Case Go can charge your hearing aids three times without plugging in. If you are an active, on-the-go type, the Charger Case Go is definitely a worthwhile investment. There is also a standard charger for the Audeo Infinio R and the Virto R.

Multi-functional and Feature Rich Hearing Aids

These hearing devices are hugely multi-functional and feature-rich. The Infinio has the peak performance features from Phonak. The Audeo Sphere has additional features over and above the ordinary Infinio that you can see below the main list. 

• StereoZoom 2.0: The new StereoZoom 2.0 enables 16% better speech understanding from the front in a noisy environment. The SpeechSensor feature combined with StereoZoom 2.0 will also deliver 15% better speech understanding from the back and sides.
• Motion Hearing: Motion sensors help the hearing aids understand if you are in motion. If you are in motion and having a conversation with someone, the aids understand that and change how they work to help you hear better.
• Tap Control: The Tap Control feature allows users to activate popular voice assistants, answer or reject calls, or even pause or resume audio streaming by simply tapping on their ear.
• Speech Enhancer: Speech Enhancer boosts soft voices in quiet situations so you can hear them better.
• Dynamic Noise Cancellation: New user customisable noise reduction feature that is available when you are in quite noisy situations.
• New Management System: Phonak have updated their management system to AutoSense 6.0. They say it will provide even better clarity in the situations you find yourself in.
• Stereo Bluetooth streaming: Stereo streaming from any Bluetooth-enabled device, that means iPhone, iPad, laptops, computers, Macs, Android phones, Windows phones, hell, any Bluetooth-enabled phone.
• Real Hands-free calling in stereo: Like the Audeo B-direct, the Lumity offers true hands-free calling from Bluetooth-enabled phones and VOIP services like Skype, except, to both hearing aids.
• TV Streaming:  Infinio can stream directly from Bluetooth-enabled TVs and the Phonak TV Connector accessory.
• Rechargeability: They say Infinio rechargeables will deliver a full day of hearing aid use from a single charge.
• Remote adjustments:  Infinio hearing aids can be adjusted remotely by your hearing expert.
• New App: Brand new app to give you more control.
• RogerDirect: Users will be able to stream from Roger devices directly to their hearing aids.

Extra Audeo Sphere Features

• Spheric Speech Clarity (Full Strength): Clear speech from any direction instantly. Phonak say Spheric Speech Clarity doubles your chances of hearing and understanding each one
• SpeechSensor: This new feature provides 360-degree speech detection, adjusting the aid's microphone modes to allow more access to speech from the back and sides.

If you are interested in the Phonak Infinio range, or if you are looking for hearing aids at the best price in Scotland, honest advice and care, call me on 01506 420519 to arrange your appointment now.

Trusted, Independent Provider of Hearing Aids In Scotland Since 1997

Expert hearing care since 1997 from Scotland's leading hearing aid audiologist. I will deliver best in class hearing to you in Edinburgh, Glasgow and across Central Scotland.